EU signs financing agreement with Ukraine

BRUSSELS, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) on Tuesday signed a financing agreement with Ukraine to help its transition.

The financing agreement for a State Building Contract worth 355 million euros (486 million U.S. dollars) accompanied by 10 million euros to boost the role of civil society.

The first disbursement of 250 million euros will take place shortly after the signature.

The joint statement after the meeting between the EC President Barroso and Ukraine interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said, today's meeting marks the beginning of a new chapter in EU-Ukraine relations.

The two sides discussed the ways of EU support to political, economic and financial stability in Ukraine, notably through the Support Group for Ukraine set up by the EC.

The EU has agreed a package of support measures worth 11 billion euros in assistance to Ukraine on 5 March.

They reconfirmed their commitment to swiftly sign the remaining provisions of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.

Both sides reconfirmed their commitment to the Geneva Joint Statement on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tension and fully support the efforts undertaken by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. (1 euro = 1.37 U.S. dollars)